Pair charged in heroin case

A Verona man and a passenger in his car were arrested late Sunday by Washington police on charges they possessed a large amount of heroin.

Police said they seized 99 stamp bags of the drug during the investigation leading to the arrests of Jessica A. Chatman, 23, of 394 Castle Road, Washington, and Chauncy McKnight, 20, of Verona.

Police were led to his vehicle parked behind 68 E. Maiden St. about 10 p.m. while chasing three men suspected of shooting a gun in the city’s West End.

McKnight allegedly dropped three stamp bags of heroin on the ground while being ordered out of his car, the affidavit indicates. Police said he also had a marijuana cigarette stuck behind his ear and $766 in one of his pockets, the record shows.

Chatman, who was a front-seat passenger, faces charges she had 96 stamp bags of the drug in one of her pockets. Police said Chatman attempted to flee as she was being searched and had to be taken to the ground while struggling with officers.

She was charged with resisting arrest, heroin possession with intent to deliver, drug possession and disorderly conduct and lodged in the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond set by District Judge Curtis Thompson. McKnight was charged with the same drug offenses, as well as possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was jailed on $75,000 bond.